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Photos: Find the best steak in Phoenix at these top 11 restaurants

Bourbon Steak | The flagship restaurant at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess is one of the Valley's ritziest steakhouses and, arguably, its best. Bourbon Steak — under the auspices of celebrity chef-in-absentia Michael Mina — is notable not only for its stellar steaks, but for the creative and refined menu that surrounds them, from pristine chilled seafood to the legendarily decadent lobster pot pie. To be sure, you’ll drop a dime on a domestic cut (or a couple thousand of them on imported Japanese beef). When money is no object, this is the place to go. | Details: Fairmont Scottsdale Princess, 7575 E. Princess Drive. 480-585-2694, scottsdaleprincess.com/sip-savor.

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Photos: Find the best steak in Phoenix at these top 11 restaurants

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Bourbon Steak | The flagship restaurant at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess is one of the Valley's ritziest steakhouses and, arguably, its best. Bourbon Steak — under the auspices of celebrity chef-in-absentia Michael Mina — is notable not only for its stellar steaks, but for the creative and refined menu that surrounds them, from pristine chilled seafood to the legendarily decadent lobster pot pie. To be sure, you’ll drop a dime on a domestic cut (or a couple thousand of them on imported Japanese beef). When money is no object, this is the place to go. | Details: Fairmont Scottsdale Princess, 7575 E. Princess Drive. 480-585-2694, scottsdaleprincess.com/sip-savor.
Dominic Armato/The Republic

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Arrowhead Grill | West Valley folks routinely name this among their favorites, and with good reason. It’s a classy yet comfortable joint, and chef Charles Schwerd has hit a good balance of quality and price with execution that’s mostly on point. A nice prime rib joins a long list of chops including the house special Delmonico; and vegetables are simple and well-prepared. The sister restaurant in north Scottsdale — Preston’s Steakhouse — is not quite as sharp. | Details: 8280 W. Union Hills Drive, Glendale. 623-566-2224, arrowheadgrill.com.
Dominic Armato/The Republic

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The Capital Grille | Yes, it’s run by Darden Restaurants — as in Olive Garden Darden. And I’m as surprised as you. But this national chain earned its spot on the list. There are towns where The Capital Grille wouldn’t make the cut, but flavorful steaks, well-prepared, along with a number of compelling sides — like calamari with pickly tart cherry peppers or an icy-cold classic wedge with tender cubes of smoky bacon — make this a solid choice. | Details: Biltmore Fashion Park, 2502 E. Camelback Road, Phoenix, 602-952-8900. Also, 16489 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale. 480-348-1700. thecapitalgrille.com.
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Chop | Cheap steakhouses are too often just that: cheap. Chop is by no means a budget joint, but the place punches well above its weight. It's a neighborhood spot with a classy but lively room and a menu that walks the line between steakhouse and sports bar. You can follow fried pickle chips and succulent meatballs with a solid, peppery New York strip or a flavorful baseball sirloin that clocks in at $26 including a salad or side. These aren’t the same steaks you’ll find at some of the more expensive joints, but this is good food and a solid value. | Details: 2625 W. Queen Creek Road, Chandler. 480-821-0009, chopchandler.com.
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Dominick’s Steakhouse / Steak 44 | These contemporary steakhouses from the Mastros (who are no longer affiliated with Mastro’s) are essentially the same place with nearly identical menus, the question being whether you prefer your environment more quiet and formal (Dominick’s) or boisterous and slinky (Steak 44). In either case, steaks and sides can be inconsistent at times, but hit the mark more often than not. | Details: Dominick's Steakhouse, Scottsdale Quarter, 15169 N. Scottsdale Road. 480-272-7271, dominickssteakhouse.com. Steak 44, 5101 N. 44th St., Phoenix. 602-271-4400, steak44.com.
Dominick's Steakhouse

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Don & Charlie’s | It’s more Chicago-style tavern than steakhouse, and the sides are more suited to ribs and fried chicken than premium beef, but this chummy Old Town stalwart still slings some mighty fine steaks. Whether dressed (or overdressed) with garlic and charred onions or served stark naked, they’re great cuts, perfectly seasoned and sizzled to a beautiful char. The prime rib eye is the singular best steak I sampled on this mission. | Details: 7501 E. Camelback Road, Scottsdale. 480-990-0900, donandcharlies.com.
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Durant’s | Sometimes the food isn’t everything, and that’s a good thing for Durant’s, because they were on the bubble when I made the cut. The atmosphere and service at this trapped-in-time Phoenix landmark are so achingly perfect, such a swanky reprieve from a bygone era, that the food is the maddening weak link. In my dreams, an effort to improve the quality of the classic menu makes this one of the best spots in town. Still, the steaks are solid when they’re on; the Oysters Rockefeller are gloriously, ridiculously over the top; and a killer martini buys a lot of forgiveness. | Details: 2611 N. Central Ave., Phoenix. 602-264-5967, durantsaz.com.
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Fleming’s | Another large-scale chain that made a strong showing, Fleming’s is one of the few that puts dry-aged steaks on the regular menu. The “modern Caesar” is crisp and perfectly dressed; the lobster tempura features a gorgeously crisp and lacy batter; the steaks are perfectly done. And the creamed spinach? It's one of the precious few I tried that were worth a damn. | Details: 6333 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale, 480-596-8265. Four additional Valley locations at flemingssteakhouse.com.
Dominic Armato/The Republic

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J&G Steakhouse | J&G Steakhouse at The Phoenician is another celebrity-chef import, but like Bourbon Steak, it’s also one of the strongest. Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s menu — under the direction of chef de cuisine Jacques Qualin — sizzles with great steaks and an extensive palette of first-rate sauces. The French-influenced creative starters and sides are just as compelling as the beef. | Details: The Phoenician, 6000 E. Camelback Road, Phoenix. 480-214-8000, jgsteakhousescottsdale.com.
Nick Oza/The Republic

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Mastro’s Steakhouse | The ancient cornerstone of the Valley’s upscale steakhouse scene, Mastro’s is widely beloved, often mimicked and perhaps not as crisp as it has been in years past. But this is still a respectable chop shop with a shrimp cocktail that’s correct, mashed potatoes loaded with succulent lobster and a warm butter cake that is a fabulous way to end a meal. | Details: 8852 E. Pinnacle Peak Road, Scottsdale. 480-585-9500, mastrosrestaurants.com.
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Bourbon Steak | The flagship restaurant at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess is one of the Valley's ritziest steakhouses and, arguably, its best. Bourbon Steak — under the auspices of celebrity chef-in-absentia Michael Mina — is notable not only for its stellar steaks, but for the creative and refined menu that surrounds them, from pristine chilled seafood to the legendarily decadent lobster pot pie. To be sure, you’ll drop a dime on a domestic cut (or a couple thousand of them on imported Japanese beef). When money is no object, this is the place to go. | Details: Fairmont Scottsdale Princess, 7575 E. Princess Drive. 480-585-2694, scottsdaleprincess.com/sip-savor.